Perry trustees eye new road care program

March 11, 2014

PERRY TWP. - Township trustees are arranging for a private firm to assess the condition of township roads and make recommendations for preserving them and fixing them.

"We're going to have them look at our roads and see what we need," Trustee Chairman Cliff Mix said.

Mix talked about the roads Monday night, explaining that he attended a seminar last month hosted for the townships by Columbiana County Engineer Bert Dawson. He couldn't recall the name of the company in question, but said they have a preventative program they use to seal a road and make it last longer.

The company also does microcoating, laying down a 1/2-inch to 1 1/4-inch layer of material which is half the price of blacktop.

"It might be quite cost effective for the township. That's what I'm hoping. Maybe the township can save a little money," he said.

Mix drove the 25.83 miles of township road recently to do his own assessment in preparation for the county's annual chip-and-seal meeting set for March 24.

"Our roads aren't in 100 percent condition, but they're not in bad condition," he said.

One section of road he identified as bad was Pine Lake Road between state Route 45 and Goshen Road. He said he's going to approach a Goshen Township trustee about possibly teaming up to fix the road.

He's planning to have the private firm come on March 17, so he said they'll have to hustle to get prepared before the county chip-and-seal meeting to determine what roads they should submit for this year.

In old business, Trustee Don Kendrick reported that another property has been submitted for consideration to the county for the demolition program. The home is owned by James Jackson at 250 Benton Road. Kendrick had explained at the last meeting that the county received more funding to tear down dilapidated homes. He doesn't know if the township's latest submission has been approved. The township is still waiting for the original three homes it submitted to be torn down.

In fire department matters, the trustees agreed to pay $805 to Warren Fire Equipment for the annual hydrostatic testing of 15 self-contained breathing apparatus packs and $486 for hydrostatic testing of 11 air bottles.

Mix also asked Chief Bruce Whitcher if he received the grant brochures he left for him regarding money for training and equipment. Whitcher said he did, adding "we are scouring the Internet daily looking for different grants."